MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Just a sneak peek...more pics to come on a lazier day!
We are having a blast with our new things, and just being home together!
Merry Christmas to each of you!
Remember that Jesus is the reason we celebrate! Don't leave Him out today!

Cookies for Santa...

Reagan's new kitchen...

Alexander's new bicycle...

Up early, excited about Santa's visit...

We had a fun Mom's morning out, getting ready for Christmas! We painted reindeer, colored pictures of Baby Jesus, sang a lot of songs (some Christmas, some just good ol' favorites) and laughed a lot! These babies are precious and have such fun watching each other and learning new things...what a blessing they are, bringing lots of love and life to our home!
Here are videos of two songs...ENJOY these cute little people!

Video 2...



Alexander's school went caroling last Thursday! Little did I know, I took him with 102 temp, headache and nausea (thanks to being on day 5 of an antibiotic for strep that wasn't strong enough). When his solo came around at the second stop, I knew he wasn't himself and he crumbled quickly afterward. We ended up skipping the 3rd stop, he stayed on the couch the rest of the day, and we got new meds Friday so he can be well for Christmas! Much better by Saturday, but I wanted to post these little videos anyway...just keep in mind he was truly ill!

Enjoy the photo slideshow, which includes some more cute Christmas clothing, cold outside fun, and our Huntsville Christmas party with extended family! We had such fun seeing everyone and watching the kids play together so sweetly! And we had good food, too, of course!

We still have more Christmas fun to come, followed by a vacation to the North Georgia mountains with family for the New Year! More blogging and photos after Santa stops by!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

We Elfed Ourselves! Thanks Cabras!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Reflections

The song is such a part of the post that I couldn't leave it out. However, I am not computer savvy enough to upload it straight from the internet, so I just recorded it with my camera...no video, just audio! Push play and pay close attention to the words, either while reading the blog or before reading the blog, or after, or all of the above! It is so good and true that you may want to hear it more than once! Credit to artist, Aaron Shust!






December 1, 2004 changed my life forever!

It is on this day that we had our second miscarriage! Now many of you may think that this has to mean that our loss in June of the same year changed my life forever, too, and in a sense that is true! I loved that baby so much already, too, but the length of pregnancy and the events of the miscarriage were much different. After one miscarriage, I met so many women who had a similar experience and went on to have more children, and immediately I was ready to try again, rather than sit in sadness! When I had two losses consecutively, I allowed doubt and fear to creep in immediately! I did not see us as parents of an only child in my dreams, but I agreed almost immediately to "settle for that"! My doctor said, "Your hope is in Alexander!", meaning that I knew my body could carry a pregnancy to term, so there was no need to be discouraged long-term. Now my doctor is a strong Christian man and I do not discount what he said because he was right! HOWEVER, our hope was and is in the Lord! Because of the timing of the second miscarriage, Christmas on the River never comes around without a time of reflection on my grief, sorrow, and newfound HOPE of those days in 2004! Within days, God had turned my mind and heart toward Him and His promises for our future! Where fear and doubt once tried to take up residence, hope began to shine brightly and God brought a comfort like none other to our hearts! Where I once regretted my actions during my brief encounter with my baby after delivery, I began to smile and laugh again, knowing that he/she was already safe in the arms of Jesus before I even saw him/her! And my hope is in the fact that this song rings so true for me...I am not skilled to understand what God has willed, but my Savior is alive and loves me and because I have put my trust in Him, I have an eternity to worship Him, through the tough trials and in my happiest moments of watching my family here on Earth grow and thrive, and after a die I will fall at His feet for endless time! Beautiful promises!

Because God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11 gave me such great comfort during the tough days following miscarriages, I now daily celebrate a new hope we received in 2007...
Reagan HOPE Sanford
What a blessing my children are to me...I cannot wait to meet the other two one day!

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a HOPE!"
Jeremiah 29:11

Please put your HOPE in Christ today! He died for your wrongdoings (sins) and He lives today! When He returns for us as the Bible promises, I want you all to go with me!

Christmas is in the Air!

The pace is picking up at the Sanford home for this month, but we are lovin' it!

We had Christmas on the River this past weekend in Demopolis and we took the kids to the Children's Day Parade, which was excellent this year, with many new floats!


Then, my friend Carrie and I took our older children to the nautical parade Saturday night. It was COLD, but we bundled up and got to enjoy 10 animated lighted floats on the Tombigbee River and an excellent fireworks display finale!


I always enjoy dressing the kids in Christmas clothing during December...just think all of it is SO cute! Here are some photos of some...never fear that each December blog will have some more!

Eric got a package in the mail from his Aunt Glendia and Alex and Reagan had a blast with the packing peanuts. They are so creative and silly! Good laughs! Alex got so hyped up that he tried to learn to long jump, which I caught in action, and Reagan took her sillies to the tub!

Alex has fully mastered pumping his legs to keep his own swing going. He wants to practice and show off each day after school! Here is a sneak peek at his success and joy!


Alexander's Cherub Choir sang in church Sunday evening for a unique "Joy of Christmas" service. This is his last year in the young choir, so he really participates now. They sang a long set of songs, but I am only adding a video clip of my favorite! Listen to these sweet lyrics! He has been walking around at home singing it all day today and it warms my heart! He is very into the real meaning of Christmas this year, which is a joy to hear and see!





We promise more fun and excitement this month and will keep you posted! I know yall are busy, but take time to focus on the gift of Christ and be set apart this season!

Happy late Thanksgiving, everyone!
We were privileged to be given a cruise on Carnival Holiday for the holiday! And yes, we had turkey and dressing on there, but it was quite different! Slash was so generous to take all of us! And what a fun surprise it was! My Mom knew she was going with my Dad for her birthday, but had NO IDEA that the rest of the fam was sailing, too! We pulled it off! When we walked up to her table on the top deck, she was truly speechless! The fun continued from there...great food, entertaining shows and games, fun photo opps, and lots for time and laughter with family! Who could ask for anything more? We did have rough sailing all the way back on Sunday, for over 12 hours, so we all felt a queasy and skipped the last dinner and the show we anticipated was cancelled for the safety of the dancers! We are still rocking when we sit still, a vertigo of sorts, but it is all worth it! After all, we went to Mexico for Thanksgiving, ate all we hoped for and more, and kicked Auburn's tail while there! ROLL TIDE!

Long awaited post...

For those of you who wait patiently and check daily for blog updates, I apologize for 15 days without a post! We have been having lots of fun, but I have been tired at night after completing housework, so I have chosen to fall in bed rather than compute! This is going to be a multimedia post, so ENJOY! Humor me by leaving a comment for each blog! Just click at the bottom of a post, where it says "0 comments" and it will let you add your own!

Here is a slide show with some great recent pictures in it! I took each child out to neighbor's good fall leaves to take some pictures. She cooperated longer, but I got a good recent picture of each. To see them larger, or to order, visit Winkflash as I am adding them there, too!

Below is a video of Reagan one day this week. She fought a nap in her crib for over an hour by talking and singing every word she knows! When I checked on her, she had a dirty diaper and her paci was on the floor. Once I got her clean, the nap was hopeless, so I took her to my bed for some quiet time. I made this video of our "talk" about the importance of naptime! ENJOY!

One day this week, I checked Alex out of school early to take him to the doctor. Surprisingly, just early arrival home cured his symptoms (not really, but I did not feel like he needed anything but rest and TLC!) All of the babies took a nap, so I asked him to get some things off of his art shelf and work at the kitchen table quietly while I showered. Completely on his own, he chose to write letters...one to Noni (Eric's mom) and one to the boy who would receive one of our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Here is a photo of the letter to Noni because I thought it was so smart and sweet! Sorry, Noni, that you have to see it here! We will mail it, too! The one for his "friend in another world" said,
"To a boy
from a boy
naemd Alex
Hope you hav a Maree Crismis"
Alex has such a sweet spirit!



FLASHBACK FRIDAY...slide show style!

Slash, meet your new PR man!



CHURCH NURSERY AND THE HOMEFRONT!

Daddy and Alex cooked supper two nights this week! THANK YOU BOYS!



Don't forget your comment(s)!
I made you wait a long time, but wasn't it worth it??

Weekend and Veterans Day Fun!

Silly Fun

Our children are such fun ages! They love to laugh and play and they enjoy having friends join us! We would love a house full of kids, but sometimes just borrowing others for a temporary stay is fun as well! Here are some pictures from our week of fun at home with lots of fun company! ENJOY and pray with us as we decide what our future family should include!

Reagan loves her hairbow!


Alexander is ready to skate!


Sweet girl enjoys the leaves!


Silly faces are all that gets him in front of the camera!


The battery was dead, but she was happy!


When it died for good, they had to get creative!


Peep-eye, Reagan! CUTE!


Fell down and got super silly!


Not so sure of the leaves, but pretty!